With my water aerobics, you’ll be traveling around in the pool almost all the time. You’ll need aqua shoes for traction. And even though pool exercise is a much, much lower level of impact than land exercise, you’ll still want to support and cushion your feet with well fitting shoes.

You can use land aerobics shoes in the water, if you don’t mind getting yours wet and in the chlorine. However, there are shoes designed specifically for water aerobics (who knew?!).   They have holes in the soles to let water drain out. And have stay-shut Velcro closures. 

A great source for your shoes, and lotsa other aqua goodies, is Sally Stanton’s site waterwarmups.com   You can talk to Sally personally.  She’s been in the biz for ooodles of time and is quite knowledgeable about getting you fit well.

My students have also gotten aqua shoes from Land’s End and aviadirect.com   What ever your source, look for good fit, support and cushion.

You’ll get the most out of your aqua aerobics if you work in water that’s chest deep. What exactly is chest deep?

It’s a water depth approximately three to five inches below your arm pits. If you’re in water that’s too deep, you’ll know because you’ll have a hard time staying grounded. You’ll feel too floaty.

But if you’re in water way too shallow, say at your waist level, you’ll lack a slight sense of buoyancy. You want a sense of lift and reduced impact.

We each have a unique body composition. So you may have to experiment a few times to nail down your personal “Goldilocks Depth”—not too floaty, not too grounded, but just enough buoyancy, while maintaining stability and control.

Once you establish your personal preferred depth, maintain it throughout your workout for maximum safety and effectiveness.

With many of my aqua combos, you’ll travel across the pool. In contrast to stationary moves, travelling moves burn more calories and work your body more intensely. However,  it’s super important that you maintain your individual chest deep level.

If your pool is small and there’s very little room to travel back and forth, find your chest deep level and work in place. But do it vigorously.

–Workout only when there is a certified lifeguard on duty.

–Remember to hydrate before, during and after your workout.

–Be smart about wearing sun protection.

–Always consult a physician before you begin this, or any exercise program.

–If any exercise causes sharp pains, stop immediately and consult a physician.

–Remember that any video never takes the place of direct consultation from a certified fitness professional.

Start by doing my easy Water Warm-Up Trio for Chest Deep Water.

And then proceed to the combos.